How to Test a Kenmore Dryer Timer

Kenneth Crawford

The timer on your Kenmore dryer advances the drying cycles. When the dryer seems to take too long, it is necessary to test the timer. Testing the Kenmore dryer timer requires disconnecting the control console to access the timer. Dryer timer are available at appliance repair centers if a replacement is necessary. The best way to test a dryer timer is to use an ohm meter or multitester. This type of equipment measures the electrical resistance within a component to determine if the component is faulty.

Step 1

Unplug the Kenmore dryer power cord from the dryer electrical outlet. Find and remove the two screws securing the control console to the top of the dryer. The screws are on the front end caps on each side of the console. Remove the screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Lift the front of the control console off the dryer top, and roll the console back toward the rear of the dryer.

Step 2

Locate the wires that power the dryer timer. There are three to four wires attaching to the timer. Two of the wires are larger in diameter than the other wires. The two larger wires are your power wires. Grasp one of the power wires where it connects to the timer terminal with your fingers. Pull the wire away from the timer.

Step 3

Set the scale on your ohm-meter to RX1 and zero the meter. To zero the meter, touch the two meter probes together. use the dial on the ohm-meter to bring the scale needle to zero.

Step 4

Turn the dial on the timer to the "normal dry" setting. Touch one of the ohm-meter probes to the terminal you removed the wire from. Touch the other probe to any of the other timer terminals. You should see a reading of zero or near zero on the ohm-meter. If you get this reading, the problem is somewhere else in the system. If you get a high reading, the timer requires replacement.

Step 5

Remove the timer knob from the face of the control console. Disconnect the remaining wires from the timer terminals with your fingers. Remove the two screws on the face of the control console that secure the timer to the dryer with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the timer out of the control console. Purchase a new timer at an appliance repair center.

Step 6

Insert the new timer into the back of the control console with the timer knob going through the face of the console. Secure the timer to the console with the securing screws. Push the wires onto each of the timer terminals until they seat fully on each terminal.

Step 7

Flip the control console forward, and push the timer knob over the timer shaft on the face of the console. Secure the control console to the dryer top panel with the retaining screws. Plug the power cord into the dryer electrical outlet.